Manchester United increase ticket prices for 2011-12 season

04 May 2011 12:22

Manchester United's owners, the Glazer family, have risked incurring yet more anger from fans by announcing an across-the-board ?1 per match increase on ticket prices for next season.

The club state the decision has been taken as a direct result of the increase in VAT from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent, having absorbed the initial rise since the turn of the year.

In addition, they have taken up an idea put forward by the Fans Forum to reduce ticket prices for 16- and 17-year-old's, capping them at ?20 as part of the transition from a junior ticket to a full adult.

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The decision means supporters purchasing a top-price season ticket will pay ?950 for a 19-match home Premier League programme, with Champions League and FA Cup matches, which must be bought as well, on top.

Although the decision will doubtless be greeted with dismay from fans groups, who claim United's increasing turnover should allow for a cut in prices, the club have pointed out that, contrary to popular belief, tickets under the Glazer regime have not increased as much as they did during the final years of the PLC.

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Taking into account the new prices, and this season's freeze, United's tickets will have increased on average by 5.8 per cent over the last six years, since the Glazer family completed their controversial takeover.

This compares with an average 5.9 per cent increase during the previous six years.

United have also highlighted the increase of 6.5 per cent that was confirmed recently by Arsenal.

Battle: The Glazers' decision is likely to be met with strong opposition from United fans groups

Like the Gunners, the Red Devils have no requirement to reduce prices as, apart from the odd cup tie, games at Old Trafford generally get somewhere near capacity, with the lowest crowd, other than for the Carling Cup fourth round tie against Wolves in October, the 72,610 that watched United's Champions League win over Bursaspor.

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